• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The supply of rice for evacuees got a boost from the Office of Civil Defense, which released 659 sacks of rice to five local government units that have residents temporarily displaced by the eruption of Kanlaon volcano.
Among the recipients are the municipality of La Castellana, and cities of Bago, La Carlota, and San Carlos in Negros Occidental, as well as Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
In a radio interview, Benilda Fidel, manager of the National Food Authority in Negros Occidental, disclosed that the OCD purchased the 659 sacks of rice, valued at P1.2 million, from the NFA, for distribution to the concerned LGUs.
The La Castellana municipal government received the biggest allocation at 310 sacks, Canlaon City – 254, La Carlota City – 70, San Carlos City – 15, and 10 sacks for Bago City.
According to reports of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, there are still 1,860 families, composed of 5,824 individuals, staying at 15 evacuation centers, while 1,761 families, or 5,548 persons, are outside of the evacuation centers.
DSWD reports also indicated that it has extended P51,075,823.16 in assistance to the affected families.
On the other hand, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II yesterday said that the provincial government of Negros Occidental, is set to launch the second phase of its program to provide healthy food to IDPs.
Diaz said they are waiting for Malacañang to sign the deed of donation of the P50 million assistance it extended to Negros Occidental.
The provincial government will allocate the P50 million for the food of Kanlaon evacuees.*